Outlook: Coe-Brown lost six seniors from last year’s title-contending team. Eight sophomores dominate the Bears’ roster this season, but most are veterans of a JV and reserve team that went undefeated last season. Brier Brooks, Liz Peabody, Sadie Steffen and newcomer Jenifer Schlim should provide the bulk of the scoring. Steffen is also a strong defender.

Coach’s comment:“Our goal for this year is to qualify for the tournament and host a least one game at home. After that we will take it one game at a time.”

Outlook: The Knights are in search of a third straight playoff appearance. Nikki Matarozzo and Danielle Wilkins will be called upon to fill in the gaps left by last year’s graduating class. Emma Tierney is a key 6-foot-2 post player who will help down low.

Coach’s comment: “We’re a young club with two seniors. It’s important to get off to a good start and get some confidence.”

Oyster River

Coach/year: Dave Nichols, 14th.

2011-12 record/playoff result: 7-12, lost to Hollis-Brookline in D-II prelims.

Outlook: The Bobcats lost their top three scorers from last season, so offense could be a struggle for them this year in the early going. Eliza MacDonald and Cassidy Kolter are good shooters at forward. Allie Harris is the team’s top perimeter defender. The Bobcats boast some size, with 6-foot-3 center Claire McCarthy and 6-foot junior forward Claire Salmon.

Coach’s comment: “Our goal is to have fun all year long, get into the playoffs and then see how much we have improved during the year.”

Portsmouth

Coach/year: Dan Parr, third.

2011-12 record/playoff result: 15-5, lost to Lebanon in D-II quarterfinals.

Outlook: The Clippers feature good size with seniors Devon Parker, Christina Jones and Alicia Brown forming a strong inside presence. Tighe Loch and Phoebe Collins make up a strong backcourt. Abby Salvadore and Allie Dennehy will lead a strong group off the bench.

Coach’s comment: “At this point we’re a defensive-minded unit. Our offense has struggled and we’re looking for balance there. We’re hoping to get by with defense and the set offenses will come.”

Outlook: The Saints look to make it back to the playoffs after a tough season last year, and will try to do so after losing some key players on offense. Meaghan Flynn and Allie Coneys will be relied upon for senior leadership. The team is strong inside the paint and in the half-court set.

Coach’s comment: “I believe we have a talented group with great leadership in Meg and Allie. Once we start to build a chemistry, anything is possible.”

Farmington

Coach/year: Gary Noyes, sixth.

2011-12 record/playoff result: 12-7, lost to Hopkinton in D-III first round.

Outlook: Farmington is a deep and experienced team which has its sights set on a deep postseason run — if the Tigers can take care of the ball. McKenzie Lloyd and Shannon Cardinal are expected to lead the team in scoring while Kelsey Gregoire, Kayla Squires and Kara Shannon will anchor the defense.

Coach’s comment: “We need to stay healthy, utilize our experience and take the next step forward.”

Prospect Mountain

Coach/year: Gordon Bilodeau, second.

2011-12 record/playoff result: 7-11, lost to Campbell in D-III prelims.

Outlook: With just one senior, the Timberwolves will continue to build under second-year coach Gordon Bilodeau. Prospect will rely on its chemistry and quickness to be competitive this winter. Bilodeau hopes to see his squad cut down on their turnovers from a year ago.

Coach’s comment: “If we have to play a half-court game, that will be our weak point because we don’t have any size. We have good quickness of the ball. We’ll be scrappy. It’s a great group of kids. We have a lot of cohesiveness. They are really pulling for each other.”

Somersworth

Coach/year: Jeff Francoeur, 11th.

2011-12 record/playoff result: 12-7, lost to Winnisquam in D-III prelims.

Outlook: The Hilltoppers look to be one of the more athletic teams in D-III. The team’s scoring attack will be led by all-state guard Rachel Hill who averaged 20-plus points per game as a junior. Not blessed with a ton of size, Somersworth boasts a group of good athletic players, which will hang its hat on defense.

Coach’s comment: “If we can continue to develop and peak at the right time anything is possible. We will work hard to create a team identity based on aggressive in your face defense.”

Outlook: Newmarket has a talented team this year with a strong group of returning seniors, but will be looking for some younger players to step up. If the Mules can fill their roles and play solid defense, they have a great chance at making the playoffs. Annaliese Schmidt is a key player to watch. Taylor Linck has proven she can score.

Coach’s comment: “Defensively, (we) must keep working to become better; this will make us a much better team overall. Offensively, we need to keep improving our decision making and fundamentals to become a well rounded team.”

Nute

Coach/year: Jane Weymouth, first.

2011-12 record/playoff result: 4-14, lost to Hinsdale in D-IV prelims.

Outlook: The Rams welcome Jane Weymouth as their new coach as they look to improve from their losing record of this year. Alisha Flanagan, Mariah Burke and Michelle Guindon are expected to carry the scoring load while Abby Flanagan and Jessica McCassie are among the team’s top defenders.

Coach’s comment: “We have a group of girls who are building an identity for this team. They are working hard every day, being positive and looking at what we can achieve together.”

Portsmouth Christian

Coach/year: Michael Hickey, first.

2011-12 record/playoff result: 3-15, lost to Littleton in D-IV prelims.

Outlook: The Eagles are a young team seeking balance, both offensive and defensively, under new coach Michael Hickey. Kim Gendron, Nicole Dudley and Alicia Vining are expected to lead the way points-wise. Gina Sbrilli and Mindy Hurd will control the interior well on defense.

Coach’s comment: “I am so excited to work with this group and I am amazed at how well we are already beginning to improve and unite as a team.”

Outlook: Berwick looks for continued improvement, returning nine players from the team that finished second in the EIL during the regular season. The Bulldogs aren’t particularly big or physical and will try to avoid slugging it out with other teams under the basket. All six returning players are capable of scoring points and playing well defensively.

Coach’s comment: “Our top six players are all basketball junkies who play year round. We will need to keep this group healthy and add the depth of others as the season progresses.”

Marshwood

Coach/year: Lee Petrie, ninth.

2011-12 record/playoff result: 16-4, lost to Scarborough in Western Maine Class A semifinals.

Outlook: Marshwood looks to push the ball and create scoring opportunities off pressure defense. Who could lead the Hawks in scoring could change from night to night. Defensively, the Hawks strength lies in athleticism and quickness with a number of players contributing. Marshwood plays six of its first nine games on the road.

Coach’s comment: “This may be the most athletically gifted team I have had here in nine years. Our strength is our depth and the ability for anyone to have a great night.”

Outlook: The Knights will look to improve on their 2-16 record from last season with 10 players back. The team lacks size but hopes to make up for that with quickness and an ability to run the floor. Chandler Waterman, Amber Kelly and Danielle Logan are expected to lead the scoring attack and Katie Taylor will anchor the defense along with Kelly and Logan.

Coach’s comment: “We don’t have a lot of size which will be a weakness for us against some of the top teams in the SMAA. Our goal is to make the playoffs and continue to improve as the year progresses.”

Traip Academy

Coach/year: Paul Marquis, 13th.

2011-12 record/playoff result: 11-9, lost to Hall-Dale in Western Maine Class C semis.

Outlook: It will be hard for the Rangers to replace standouts Selena Lorrey and Katherine Volpe, but they’ll try. Alli Barrett is an exciting player who returns as a two-year starter. Kendra Kagiliery is another returning starter who is a 3-point threat every time she touches the ball.

Coach’s comment: “Undoubtedly, we will be battle-tested by the end of the season and we hope that bodes well for another opportunity in the playoffs.”